Even though the transfer window isn’t officially open yet, the rumour mill has been chugging along in spite of that with Liverpool a regular topic of conversation for pundits and journalists alike. While the Reds continue to be linked with motley cast of characters that seemed destined for a move one day only to never be heard from again, one name that has been popping up on a consistent basis is Inter Milan playmaker Mateo Kovacic.
Now, depending on whom you believe, the Croatian midfielder is either on his way to Merseyside with terms already agreed with the 21-year old, or the Italian’s are playing hard ball over his availability with no talks having taken place as of yet. Kovacic’s agent, who both played down rumours of a departure and slammed the Nerazzurri over his client’s playing time earlier this year, has been mum on the subject as of late, but Inter boss Roberto Mancini just isn’t interested in keeping his mouth shut.
“Kovacic will become a champion,. He is young, but has already improved a lot,” the former Manchester City supremo told Sky Sports Italia in a recent interview. “I think he will stay at Inter,” he continued, before pooh-poohing talk of a deal already being in place. “I don’t think there is anything going on with him regarding a transfer.”
That, of course, either means that Mancini is the worst informed boss in football or he’s actually not playing some sort of angle and the Croatian maestro will be staying at the Stadio Meazza. According to the papers, the two clubs remain quite a ways apart over their valuations of the 21-year old, though Liverpool have been rumoured to be considering offering a player — either the now disgruntled Martin Skrtel or missing-man Fabio Borini — in part exchange to bridge the gap.
Stay tuned…
